Archives for February 2017

February 28, 2017

US authorities have confirmed 1.9% economic growth of USA in Q4 2016. The economists had expected the second reading of the data to show that the increase in GDP was 2.1% annual growth rate. The slower pace of investment by businesses and by state and local authorities overshadows higher household consumption. Namely consumer spending, which

The US consumer confidence rose in February, as the index of organization The Conference Board recorded growth from 111.6 points in January to 114.8 points. The economists actually expected decline meter to 111 points, but were surprised by the positive results of the index. The study of the Conference Board closely monitored as an indicator

The industrial production in Japan declined in January for the first time in six months, raising questions about the sustainability of growth in the second half of 2016, driven by exports. The industrial production recorded a decline of 0.8% mom against forecasts for 0.4% growth. It is expected that in February the index to rise

February 27, 2017

The British pound depreciated against many leading currencies on Monday because of successive concerns of another referendum on Scottish independence from the United Kingdom. The British pound was subject to pressure early in the week after the Times reported that Prime Minister Theresa May is preparing to request from the Scottish Government to hold a

Americans bought more homes in January 2017, after last month recorded a sharp decline. The sales of new homes grew by 3.7% to a seasonally adjusted 555,000 units annual growth rate, reported the Commerce Department on Friday. The increase on an annual basis was 5.5%. The robust employment growth and signs of rising wages support

Inflation in Canada jumped far more than expected in January and ends two-month series of declines in consumer prices. The data from the Canadian Statistics Office showed that the consumer price index rose by 0.9% mom in January. In December CPI had decreased by 0.2% and economists excpected growth within 0.3% during the first month

The digital currency Bitcoin rose to a record high above 1,200 USD, as investors speculated that soon the US may begin to act first exchange traded fund (ETF). There are three ETF-a, which track the course of Bitcoin, waiting for the green light by the US Securities Commission and exchange of currencies. By March 11,

February 23, 2017

Investment bank Citigroup maintains its bullish attitude for crude oil and copper in 2017. According to the traders from the bank, the prices of the European benchmark Brent oil will rise to about 70 USD per barrel and copper to 7,000 USD per ton at the end of this year. For the both raw materials

Almost 6.5 million EU citizens are working in the field of culture, according to the latest statistics from Eurostat. The data are for 2015 and show that 3% of the workforce in the community is engaged in this field. About 2 million of them are artists or writers, of which 49% are self-employed. The percentage

The sales of existing homes in USA reaches 10-year high in January, as shoppers apparently ignore higher prices and interest, as a sign of growing confidence in the economy. The National Association of Realtors reported on Wednesday that sales of existing homes jumped 3.3% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of increase of 5.69 million